Summary
Elon Musk has called homelessness a “lie” and “propaganda,” claiming advocacy groups profit from maintaining high homelessness rates.
Partnering with Donald Trump, Musk is pushing for drastic federal budget cuts targeting programs for vulnerable populations, including food stamps and healthcare.
Trump’s plan includes forcing unhoused individuals into treatment or institutionalization.
Critics argue these approaches criminalize homelessness while ignoring root causes like lack of affordable housing.
Homelessness in the U.S. has reached record levels, with 650,000 people affected in 2023, prompting calls for evidence-based solutions over punitive measures.
Isn’t this just the exact opposite of the de-institutionization that happened during Kennedy back in the 1960’s? Which Reagan then ruined in the 1980’s by defunding the programs that supported the people who would previously be housed in a mental institution that were put forth by Carter?
Feels like it’s just admitting Reagan fucked up. But trying to fix it by spending government money on rebuilding the mental institution system. Doesn’t make any sense.
Yes, Regan fucked up. Yes we need to rebuild the mental institution systems and we should be spending a hell of a lot of tax payer money to ensure those institutions serve their populations in a humane manner. Most homeless have mental health issues and the US has very little resources for these people. Drug rehab facilities should be free to users and well funded by taxpayers, as should all healthcare.
Saying that homelessness is entirely due to housing shortage is not seeing the forest through the trees.
Agreed! I’m saying it doesn’t make sense from Musk’s entire platform of defunding. Even recreating the incredibly exploitive, pre-anti psychotic and anti-depressents, system of the 1950’s and before would be incredibly expensive.
They will just use these programs to obfuscate their embezzlement of taxpayer funds.
That said, a broken clock and all… we do indeed need to invest in mental health facilities.